Enid, OK – Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters has reached a settlement with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission after facing allegations of using his official office and social media accounts to promote politically charged messages. The complaint, which stemmed from Walters’ activity on his X (formerly Twitter) account, comes amid a separate ongoing investigation into possible campaign finance violations.
The controversy centers around a series of social media posts Walters made in the lead-up to the November 2024 election. Walters, who used his official state title “Superintendent Ryan Walters” and his state portrait as his profile picture on X, posted videos endorsing former President Donald Trump and urging Oklahomans to vote for him. In several clips shared on his account, Walters criticized Vice President Kamala Harris and the Biden administration, further fueling concerns about the politicization of his state office.
Legal experts quickly pointed out that Walters’ use of official resources, such as his state portrait and title, for campaign-related content violated ethics rules. Ed Blau, an attorney specializing in ethics law, explained, “It’s against ethics rules to use anything official for campaign purposes.” The Oklahoma Ethics Commission, which launched an investigation into Walters’ social media use in January, ultimately determined that Walters’ actions violated the state’s ethical guidelines.
As part of the settlement, Walters agreed to pay a $5,000 fine, remove his official state portrait from his personal social media accounts, and change the name and handle of his X account to remove the word “Superintendent.” Walters complied with the settlement terms immediately, making the necessary changes to his social media presence on Tuesday.
Blau described the settlement as “run-of-the-mill,” saying it serves as both a deterrent and a message to other elected officials who may be tempted to use their official position for political campaigning. He noted that while the settlement resolves the issue surrounding Walters’ social media activity, the superintendent remains under investigation for potential campaign finance violations linked to his 2022 bid for state superintendent. Last week, the Ethics Commission voted to prosecute Walters in civil court over those allegations.
Legal experts believe that the decision to pursue a civil court case signifies the seriousness with which the Ethics Commission is addressing the campaign finance violations. The case will now go through the regular court process, where discovery will take place, and a judge or jury may ultimately determine Walters’ legal fate.
The settlement and ongoing investigation highlight the ongoing scrutiny Walters faces regarding his conduct as the state’s top education official. The case also raises broader questions about the appropriate use of public office for political campaigning and the limits of social media in modern elections.
